INTRODUCTION
In West Africa, where fossil fuels alone can no longer satisfy the growing demand for electricity and gas; an energy transition through renewable energies presents itself as the main means of overcoming supply difficulties. This is why more and younger people are becoming entrepreneurs in the field of renewable energies in West Africa, particularly in Mali and Burkina Faso. What are the solutions proposed by young entrepreneurs to resolve the problems of access to electricity in Mali? How does entrepreneurship through biomass energy allow households to free themselves from the consumption of butane gas in Burkina Faso? How do global and regional institutions provide support to these young entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurship and Solar Energy in Mali
In Mali, where the rate of rural electrification rarely exceeds 20%, part of the population has difficulty accessing electricity. Many young entrepreneurs are therefore offering solutions for access to decentralized energy: Solar Energy. The start-up Yeeleen Solar, whose co-founder is the young Malian entrepreneur Abdoulaye GACKOU, creates devices capable of meeting the electricity needs of entire villages. On the other hand, Samba BATHILY, president of the company Africa Development Solutions, also offers solutions for Africa in the field of solar energy. Alongside these large companies, other smaller ones like Bah Solaire and Irrigation of the young Malian entrepreneur Aissata BAH also make a great contribution.
Valorizing biomass energy in Burkina Faso
In Burkina Faso, Namangdo SARL, headed by the young Burkinabè entrepreneur Aminata OUEDRAOGO, promotes the biodigester. This company supports households and encourages them to replace butane gas with biomass energy through the use of biodigester. The biodigester, also called an anaerobic biological digester, is a technical device which makes it possible to produce biogas, a gas obtained through the fermentation of organic materials. This system offers many advantages for cooking because in addition to reducing the use of butane gas, it also allows households to reduce the use of wood, thus limiting desertification.
Support from global and regional institutions
Young entrepreneurs in the field of renewable energies in West Africa unfortunately very often face difficulties linked to private investments. Indeed, it is sometimes difficult for these young entrepreneurs to obtain the financing they need to carry out their projects. This is how global and regional institutions such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) support small and medium-sized businesses in the field. Renewable energies, notably photovoltaic solar, by providing them with assistance and advice.
CONCLUSION
West Africa’s energy independence is more necessary than ever in a context where access to fossil fuels presents more and more challenges due to growing demand. The use of renewable energies then constitutes a sustainable solution. Many young people are then embarking on entrepreneurship in the field of renewable energies while benefiting from the support of global and regional institutions because young people have understood it well: change can only be made by them and with them.
